HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/2002 • •
Traffic Safe Adviso Committee
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City of Apple Valley
January 9, 2002
7:00 p.m. Municipal Center
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Minutes '
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.by Vice-Chair Eriksen.
Members Present: Craig Anglin,Dick Asleson,Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe,
Neal Heuer,Arthur Zimmerman
Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson
Others Present: Mary Smith
Members Absent: Linda Dolan
2. A�proval of A eg nda
Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Heuer,to approve the agenda. Motion passed
unanimously.
3. Approval of December 12, 2001 Minutes
Mr.Heuer moved, second by Mr. Grawe,to approve the minutes of December 12,2001.
Motion passed unanimously.
4. Presentation by Marv Smith
Ms.Mary Smith of ISD 196 explained that the State mandates that the schools provide a
bus safety progam,but does not require a particular number of hours for education,only
that the students demonstrate proficiency. The topics currently covered include bus
loading and unloading,walking to the bus stop,pedestrian safety,and bicycle safety.
The curriculum is done in the early fall. The program for kindergarten through second
grade is done in classroom groups with various written materials. The program for third
through fifth grades is done in large assembly presentations with Trooper Tracy.
Trooper Tracy discusses different types of situations and demonstrates the important
aspects of bicycle and scooter laws. The program for sixth through tenth grades is done
by individual teachers. Exams have been given in the past. There is no curriculum for
eleventh and twelfth grades.
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Ms. Smith said the school is considering eliminating the Trooper Tracy presentation
because it takes too much time(about one hour)and the teachers don't like the
presentation style. Ms. Smith said Renee Everstie is the official responsible for the
curriculum. Ms. Everstie would be the City's contact for changes to the curriculum.
There was some discussion about other methods of reaching and educating students
including pedestrian video tapes, school television broadcasts,traffic tips in the morning
announcements, and posters on school buses.
5. Audience Items
There were no audience items.
6. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv
A) Police
Mr.Anglin said he received one complaint regarding speed enforcement on Garden
View Drive. He noted there have been 244 traffic contacts on Garden View over the
past three months.
B) Public Works
Mr. Heuer presented the report on traffic complaints received by the Public Works
Departrnent. The report included four complaints. He said he would not post"No
Parking"signs on the west side of Garden View unless requested by the schools. He
said Mr.Van Wormer is studying Garrett and 153rd Street. He said Dakota County
is studying County Road 38 and Diamond Path.
7. CSAH 46 and Garden View/Highview Drive Traffic Signal
Mr.Heuer said the County has asked to move quickly to install a signal at the
intersection of Garden View and County Road 46. The County has requested a letter of
support from the City before installing the signal. The letter would indicate that the City
would like the signal timing to discourage north-bound traffic on Garden View. He
noted that traffic volumes on Garden View have decreased since improvements to Ipava.
Mr. Grawe moved, second by Mr.Zimmerman,to recommend that City send the letter in
support of the signal. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Continue Discussion of Crosswalk Studv
Ms. Jackson said the study has been completed. Mr.Heuer requested a presentation to
the Council at the March 14�''informal meeting. A draft report will be presented to the
Committee at the next meeting.
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9. 2001 —2002 Work Plan
Education
Mr. Asleson said he believes education,especially among younger students,is the best
option.
Mission
�The Committee discussed its mission. Several members felt the mission extends beyond
education to include resolution of neighborhood traf�c issues. Some members suggested
that the mission includes broad-base traffic safety education, addressing individual
neighborhood concerns and issues as they arise, and proactively seeking potential issues
and addressing them before they become problems.
Increasing Citizen Access/Awareness
Mr. Anglin said the program could piggy-back with the Police Department's child safety
seat education program. He said one of the safety seat inspectors could talk at the next
meeting. Other ideas for increasing citizen awareness of the Committee included:
providing a direct e-mail response for citizens from the city web site,providing short
video clips for cable television, sponsoring other safety events like the bike rodeo,
publishing tips in the City newsletter,publishing tips in the Neighborhood Watch
newsletter,publishing notices in the water bills, and piggy-backing on the existing
Neighborhood Watch program.
Next Steu
Mr. Anglin said he would write a draft newsletter article for the next meeting. Once that
article has been�nalized, a condensed version can be drafted.
10. Specific Location Concerns
A) County Road 42 and Garrett Avenue
Ms. Jackson said there are turning movement issues with this intersection that should be
addressed. A turning movement count was conducted and it showed a significant backup
of north-bound and south-bound traffic.
B) 147th Street and Foliage Avenue
Mr.Heuer said larger signs and"Cross Traffic Does Not Stop"signs have been erected.
The City is monitoring the situation.
C) Galaxie Avenue Widening
Ms. Jackson said she is awaiting the layout from the City. Neal will put the layout in the
mail this week.
11. Other Business
A) Mr.Heuer distributed a draft list of TSAC accomplishments in 2001 and
requested the Committee provide comments,by email, so a more developed list can be
presented at the next meeting. He said he is working on compiling the future activities
list.
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B) Mr. Heuer said the County has agreed to study County Road 42 and Garden
View Drive,as well as County Road 31 and Diamond Path.
C) Mr. Heuer distributed information on the noise ordinance with regards to"jake
braking". He said to avoid liability,the City needs to address the noise produced,not the
method of braking the vehicle. The State statute is already in place,but enforcement is
necessary. Mr.Anglin noted it is dif�cult to measure the exhaust noise that is covered in
the statute compared to the engine noise,which is not covered. Mr.Anglin suggested the
issue be referred to the Urban Affairs Committee as it involves noise,not safety issues.
D) Mr.Anglin provided a report on 2001 accident statistics. The report included:
958 property damage crashes
156 personal injury crashes
6 pedestrian personal injury crashes
2 fatal crashes
1,278 general traffic complaints
153 investigate intoxicated driver reports
219 commercial vehicle complaints
10,716 traffic stops
9,377 citations issued
240 DUI arrests
The majority of the accidents occurred on the following roadways: Cedar Ave, County
Road 42,County Road 38, County Road 31,County Road 46, and business parking lots.
There was brief discussion about analyzing the accident statistics to look for
improvements to those roadways.
12. Adjourn
Mr.Asleson moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman,to adjourn the meeting. The meeting
was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.